-
Mystery over how French driving fines continue to reach UK addresses
Information sharing agreements ended when Brexit came into force in 2021, but the number of fines sent across the English Channel increased in 2023
-
Why parking fines in France are now more likely to be cancelled
It comes after France’s highest administrative court found in a driver’s favour
-
Why are French roundabouts so confusing?
There are actually two types with different rules
Eight French roundabouts with bizarre statues
Cultural laws require funding for roadside art projects… but the art commissioned can be surprising
If you are driving in France for an extended period, it is more than likely you will come across a roundabout or two.
France, unofficially, has the most roundabouts in the world with more than 60,000, and they are favoured as a low-cost measure to reduce accidents.
Read more: French roundabouts are also about revolution of a political kind
However, at the centre of many of these roundabouts is a piece of artwork, often contemporary, and sometimes completely bizarre.
A law known as the 1% artistique is responsible for these pieces.
First passed in 1951, this law required 1% of the expected budget of any public building work (schools, police stations, etc) to go towards purchasing or commissioning artwork.
This was later expanded to include road projects, leading to a flurry of art across the country, with local councils needing to comply with the law when constructing new roundabouts.
Read more: Make sense of... French motorway art
Some of these are related to local culture or industry, such as the lentil statues of Cussac-sur-Loire.
Others, however – including the infamous giant kiwi of Peyrehorade – seem completely out of place.
There is even a Facebook group called 'Neurchi de ronds-points moches' where users share photos of the ugliest roundabout art they have found.
Below are some of the most bizarre we have come across.
SAINT-AMAND-LES-EAUX: Water bottle
Credit: @BMoon_bee / Twitter
SUSMIOU: Fisherman
Credit: @Epipapu / Twitter
MONTPELLIER: Donut and sausage
Credit: @transjadada / Twitter
MARSEILLE: The thumb
Credit: @mairie6_8 / Twitter
BEAUMONT-SUR-SARTHE: Traffic cone
Credit: @TetsRenault / Twitter
LA HAYE-FOUASSIÈRE: Flying Saucer
Credit: @Mac44482203 / Twitter
CUSSAC-SUR-LOIRE: Lentils
Credit: @shizumaru / Twitter
PEYREHORADE: Kiwi
Credit: @lafleeeeeur / Twitter
Are there any… interesting pieces of roundabout art near you? Let us know via news@connexionfrance.com.
Related articles
French phrases that change meaning depending where you are in France
Weird French laws that are still technically valid in France